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Among the things that set Kohler Waters Spa apart from other luxury spas are the relaxation area amenities — specifically, the several different pools available. You’ll definitely want to pack a swimsuit to take full advantage of the offerings, including the long, rectangular swimming pool in the coed common area. Conjuring the look of an ancient Roman bath, the beautiful mosaic-tiled pool includes a bench at its far end where you can relax under the cascades of an 8-foot waterfall. Comfortable, cushioned chaise lounges surround the pool and, along with dim lighting and the rush of the waterfall, encourage you to linger with a good book or to steal a nap between spa services.

Kohler Waters Spa’s other popular relaxation area is located up on the fourth floor in the glass-enclosed penthouse, where a whirlpool awaits and reclining lounge chairs line a broad, modern fireplace. The rooftop terrace, complete with views of The American Club and the historic Kohler factory across the street, is accessible from this relaxation area.

The separate men’s and women’s relaxation areas near the locker rooms provide their own delightful amenities: Hop into the hot and cold plunge pools or spend some time in the sauna and steam room. The dozen or so seats here also include cushiony chaise lounges set among tropical plants, simple contemporary furnishings and whitewashed walls. Inside the locker rooms, a pretty ceiling mural features hummingbirds flying through fluffy, white clouds — and you’ll feel a lot like those birds after you’ve finished any of the fabulous treatments at the Five-Star spa.

The luxury Kohler Waters Spa offers some sort of fun and expected amenity at every turn, but we’re here to let you know the best of the best. Kohler Waters Spa’s focus on health and — you guessed it — water shape the luxurious amenities at this Five-Star hotel. Here are our picks for the five best amenities:

1) The pools. Packing a swimsuit is a must for a trip to Kohler Waters Spa if you want to take full advantage of the room-length-mosaic-tiled swimming pool, complete with an eight-foot waterfall. As the centerpiece of the spa’s main co-ed lounge area, the inviting pool sits between rows of chaise lounges and beckons you to sit on the bench below the waterfall to fully enjoy the cool, relaxing cascade.

2) The sunny penthouse. Seating along the main relaxation area’s pool can fill up quickly during peak periods, but the whirlpool area in the more spacious, glass-enclosed penthouse on the fourth floor is just as attractive. Additional chaise lounges line the whirlpool and a modern white fireplace that runs the length of the room. A poolside door leads out to a sunny rooftop terrace with views of The American Club hotel and the old factory town peeking out from above the tree line.

3) The gym. In the spa’s fitness center, just behind the reception area, you can continue to nurture your body — this time with exercise. The selection of exercise equipment includes a 2006 Life Fitness treadmill, elliptical, exercise bikes, stair climber and a dual-adjusted selectorized weight system.

4) Healthy cuisine. A menu of spa cuisine, which can be delivered to your chaise lounge anywhere in the spa, offers tasty wholesome snacks and lunches, including sandwiches and wraps, salads, desserts, drinks and smoothies. So while you’re nurturing your body from the outside in, continue the process by nurturing it from the inside out.

5) Kohler-made bath designs. The Kohler company has an international reputation for stylish, innovative bathroom fixtures, and as a guest of Kohler Waters Spa, you benefit from this in almost every room: Besides the custom-designed Vichy shower available as a treatment, each shower in the locker room is outfitted with three Kohler-designed showerheads. Similarly, Kohler’s handsome Ann Sacks tile decorates the pool and whirlpool areas, as well as the locker room showers.

The interior design of Kohler Waters Spa, particularly in some of the relaxation areas, conjures a stately, romantic, neo-classical feel that evokes a Roman bath with its mosaic-tiled whirlpools in the women- and men-only areas, as well as along the mosaic-tiled floor of the room-length pool with its prominent 8-foot waterfall in the co-ed relaxation room.

The locker rooms, too, evoke the era when emperors reigned, with a mural painted on the ceiling featuring clouds and hummingbirds. Other parts of the spa, such as the seating area of the women’s respite area, are designed in a simple, comfortable, contemporary style with low lighting, white walls and muted, understated hues accented by lush tropical plants. Meanwhile, the spa penthouse feels more airy and modern, with a fireplace running the length of a whitewashed adobe wall, a small pool and plenty of bright light streaming through the glass walls and skylights. Kohler Waters Spa blends the tried-and-true with the state-of-the-art — from its facials and massages to its thoughtful design.

Kohler Waters Spa’s various exfoliating wraps all promise to leave your skin smoother, healthier and completely rehydrated. One option is the 80-minute signature Kohler Waters wrap, which includes an exfoliating scrub, followed by a warm oil and herb wrap. Or try the 50-minute Sea Lime Sigh for a warm oil application and lime-salt exfoliating scrub, which is then rinsed off with a Kohler shower before a layer of warm body butter is applied. Finally, the 80-minute contouring wrap revitalizes skin with mineral-rich spirulina algae, followed by a loofah exfoliation, warm body wrap, a soothing anti-aging facial and, finally, a nice foot massage. After any of these treatments, you’ll leave the Kohler Waters Spa with skin that’s feeling smoothed, refreshed and glowing.

Kohler Waters Spa’s 16-and-older policy ensures a state of sweet tranquility for you, but parents of the too-young-to-drive set shouldn’t fret. The special Mom and Me nails treatment allows you to buy a 50-minute manicure or pedicure to treat your child, so long as she’s between the ages of 8 and 15, with a 50-minute healthy hands manicure or Neat Feet pedicure for just $25 more. The treatments, which must be scheduled for the same time and on the same day, include a few fun extras such as a bottle of nail polish, a fruit smoothie and mini beauty bag. The Mom and Me nails treatment does not allow full access to the rest of the spa such as the pools and whirlpools. Sorry, kids — Kohler Waters Spa’s mostly for the adults.

Let the full-body pampering continue with a hair service at Kohler Water Spa’s in-house salon. Both men and women can make appointments to have their hair shampooed and cut. Additionally, styling, bridal packages, updos, scalp treatments, waxing, men’s hair and facial services, and nail treatments — including about a dozen different types of manicures and pedicures — can be coordinated with your spa treatment and booked on the same itinerary. As accommodating as the salon is, you should be advised that you’ll have to go elsewhere for hair color, perms and acrylic nail treatments: To preserve Kohler Waters Spa’s healthy, natural ambience, such chemical-based treatments are only offered at the resort’s main salon, the Salon at Sports Core, which is located down the road at 100 Willow Creek Dr.

The treatments offered at Kohler Waters Spa leave little to complain about, but certain services stand out as being especially indulgent, unusual or otherwise notable. Here, five of our favorite treatments at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star spa: 
 
1. The Neat Feet pedicure. One of the spa’s signature treatments, this 50-minute pedicure totally pampers neglected feet with a warming salt scrub exfoliation. Warm stones are then set between the toes to comfort distressed feet.
 
 2. The 80-minute Complete Harmony water treatment. You won’t find this treatment anywhere else. Enter the spa’s dark, tranquil Harmony wet treatment room for a full-body hydrotherapy session under the six-headed Vichy shower bar, which was custom-made for the spa by the Kohler fixture company. The H2O wash down provides a hydrating body and face cleansing, exfoliation and, finally, moisturizing with a rich body butter. You’ll be glowing from head to toe.
 
3. The 80-minute Kohler Waters facial. In a way, this signature treatment is a two-for-one deal: While the focus is on freshening up the face with moisturizing masks, the treatment comes with a good dose of massage as well. It starts with a back exfoliation and hydration, trailed by a warm avocado hand mask and herbal mitts. Aromatherapy, a facial massage and a Chitosan mask follow for oxygenating, hydrating and soothing anti-aging effects. And then the massage kicks in: Hands, arms and feet all get a tension-melting rubdown.
 
4. The 25-minute Kohler massage treatments. Go for one of these if you’re looking for something especially convenient and cost-effective. These mini treatments involve bodywork customized to address your specific problem areas or health needs. The abbreviated treatments are a nice add-on to other therapies and are often easier to book than the 50- or 80-minute massages.
 
5. The Highland Fling. The 50-minute hydrotherapy treatment was inspired by the spa’s sister property in St. Andrews, Scotland. The unique treatment involves buckets of warm water and an invigorating exfoliation using coffee granules mixed with mint oil. It’s topped off with a chocolate body butter moisturizer — the icing on the cake

Kohler Waters Spa specifically designates only one of its services, the aromatherapy massage, as an aromatherapy treatment. But like the ancient Greeks who thought the use of various essential oils could influence mood and health, the spa incorporates scents into many of its offerings, from wraps to facials and massages. But if you’re looking for a treatment where the art of aromatherapy is the centerpiece, opt for the 80-minute aromatherapy massage: Your therapist will begin by asking a few questions to determine your wellness needs, and then create a custom cocktail of essential oils to address your issues. Be sure to ask the therapist or the booking agent about specific aromatherapy techniques to see what’s included with your treatment of choice.

Cell phones, equal parts modern convenience and modern annoyance, are not permitted at Kohler Waters Spa. Staffers fuss over every detail to make the Five-Star spa as comfortable and tranquil as possible for you, so imagine how quickly the spa’s efforts — and the carefully cultivated Zen vibe — could be squashed with one shrill ring of an iPhone. With that in mind, it’s probably a good idea to turn your phone off, or at least to put it on silent. We thinks it’s best to stash phones, laptops and other distractions in a locker, unplug for a bit and enjoy the quiet of the present moment at Kohler Waters Spa.

Among the things that set Kohler Waters Spa apart from other luxury spas are the relaxation area amenities — specifically, the several different pools available. You’ll definitely want to pack a swimsuit to take full advantage of the offerings, including the long, rectangular swimming pool in the coed common area. Conjuring the look of an ancient Roman bath, the beautiful mosaic-tiled pool includes a bench at its far end where you can relax under the cascades of an 8-foot waterfall. Comfortable, cushioned chaise lounges surround the pool and, along with dim lighting and the rush of the waterfall, encourage you to linger with a good book or to steal a nap between spa services.

Kohler Waters Spa’s other popular relaxation area is located up on the fourth floor in the glass-enclosed penthouse, where a whirlpool awaits and reclining lounge chairs line a broad, modern fireplace. The rooftop terrace, complete with views of The American Club and the historic Kohler factory across the street, is accessible from this relaxation area.

The separate men’s and women’s relaxation areas near the locker rooms provide their own delightful amenities: Hop into the hot and cold plunge pools or spend some time in the sauna and steam room. The dozen or so seats here also include cushiony chaise lounges set among tropical plants, simple contemporary furnishings and whitewashed walls. Inside the locker rooms, a pretty ceiling mural features hummingbirds flying through fluffy, white clouds — and you’ll feel a lot like those birds after you’ve finished any of the fabulous treatments at the Five-Star spa.

Water’s healing qualities are at the core of Kohler Waters Spa’s approach to wellness, so it should come as no surprise that the spa features a long, rectangular swimming pool in the co-ed common area. Lined with chaise lounges, the beautiful mosaic-tiled pool recalls an ancient Roman bath. A bench below the swimming pool’s eight-foot waterfall invites you to linger and relax under cascades of cool water.

In addition to the common area swimming pool, both men and women have access to the whirlpool located in the glass-enclosed penthouse, where lounge chairs line a broad, modern fireplace and a side door offers access to the rooftop terrace, complete with views of The American Club and the Kohler factory and town just across the street.

Additionally, both men’s and women’s locker room areas come with a hot-plunge and a cold-plunge pool. As part of Kohler Waters Spa’s focus on hydrotherapy, warm and cool temperature contrasts are thought to offer health benefits; warm therapies soothe the body, while cold treatments stimulate the senses for better circulation and digestion. Both men and women’s areas also include a sauna and a steam room.

Kohler Waters Spa guests should be advised that there are some restrictions on use of the spa’s various pools and other amenities. For one, no children under 16 are permitted in the spa area. Otherwise, you’re invited to use the Four-Star spa’s generous water facilities before or after any treatment.

At Kohler Waters Spa, you’re in good hands — literally — with a staff licensed both nationally and at the state level in either massage or cosmetology. But always a cut above, Kohler Waters Spa also requires its therapists to undergo rigorous in-house training. For new staffers, that means a three- to four-week orientation session that includes receiving treatments from more experienced staffers, as well as successfully demonstrating the treatments on other staffers at least three times before testing. Kohler Waters Spa also shuts down once a year for a spa-wide training session that might include special workshops for more advanced services such as Asian barefoot ah-shiatsu massage or the pre-natal maternity massage. You’ll always be able to get the latest techniques and the old standbys when you sign up for a treatment with the well-trained therapists at Kohler Waters Spa.

The interior design of Kohler Waters Spa, particularly in some of the relaxation areas, conjures a stately, romantic, neo-classical feel that evokes a Roman bath with its mosaic-tiled whirlpools in the women- and men-only areas, as well as along the mosaic-tiled floor of the room-length pool with its prominent 8-foot waterfall in the co-ed relaxation room.

The locker rooms, too, evoke the era when emperors reigned, with a mural painted on the ceiling featuring clouds and hummingbirds. Other parts of the spa, such as the seating area of the women’s respite area, are designed in a simple, comfortable, contemporary style with low lighting, white walls and muted, understated hues accented by lush tropical plants. Meanwhile, the spa penthouse feels more airy and modern, with a fireplace running the length of a whitewashed adobe wall, a small pool and plenty of bright light streaming through the glass walls and skylights. Kohler Waters Spa blends the tried-and-true with the state-of-the-art — from its facials and massages to its thoughtful design.

Spa treatments do wonders for the body, but Kohler Waters Spa’s on-site gym offers additional tension release with a small selection of exercise equipment. Among the equipment is a 2006 Life Fitness treadmill, an elliptical machine and exercise bikes. For a more intense, sweat-breaking workout, the fitness center also houses a stair climber and a selectorized weight system. Located in a separate room just behind the reception area, the modest-sized gym lets spa and Carriage House guests get their workouts in from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The luxury Kohler Waters Spa offers some sort of fun and expected amenity at every turn, but we’re here to let you know the best of the best. Kohler Waters Spa’s focus on health and — you guessed it — water shape the luxurious amenities at this Five-Star hotel. Here are our picks for the five best amenities:

1) The pools. Packing a swimsuit is a must for a trip to Kohler Waters Spa if you want to take full advantage of the room-length-mosaic-tiled swimming pool, complete with an eight-foot waterfall. As the centerpiece of the spa’s main co-ed lounge area, the inviting pool sits between rows of chaise lounges and beckons you to sit on the bench below the waterfall to fully enjoy the cool, relaxing cascade.

2) The sunny penthouse. Seating along the main relaxation area’s pool can fill up quickly during peak periods, but the whirlpool area in the more spacious, glass-enclosed penthouse on the fourth floor is just as attractive. Additional chaise lounges line the whirlpool and a modern white fireplace that runs the length of the room. A poolside door leads out to a sunny rooftop terrace with views of The American Club hotel and the old factory town peeking out from above the tree line.

3) The gym. In the spa’s fitness center, just behind the reception area, you can continue to nurture your body — this time with exercise. The selection of exercise equipment includes a 2006 Life Fitness treadmill, elliptical, exercise bikes, stair climber and a dual-adjusted selectorized weight system.

4) Healthy cuisine. A menu of spa cuisine, which can be delivered to your chaise lounge anywhere in the spa, offers tasty wholesome snacks and lunches, including sandwiches and wraps, salads, desserts, drinks and smoothies. So while you’re nurturing your body from the outside in, continue the process by nurturing it from the inside out.

5) Kohler-made bath designs. The Kohler company has an international reputation for stylish, innovative bathroom fixtures, and as a guest of Kohler Waters Spa, you benefit from this in almost every room: Besides the custom-designed Vichy shower available as a treatment, each shower in the locker room is outfitted with three Kohler-designed showerheads. Similarly, Kohler’s handsome Ann Sacks tile decorates the pool and whirlpool areas, as well as the locker room showers.

“[Water is] not necessary to life, but rather life itself,” according to The Little Prince author Antoine de Saint-Exupery; and the Kohler Waters Spa’s wellness philosophy abides by that same worldview. Hydrotherapy experiences such as the lavender rain exfoliation, the H2O inspiration exfoliation and WaterTile body spray shower treatment are among the Kohler Waters Spa’s signatures water offerings. These treatments are thought to have therapeutic benefits that can remineralize, replenish and heal the body through alternating warm and cool temperature contrasts. Since opening 10 years ago, Kohler Waters Spa has designed its own evolving series of hydrotherapy water treatments, that, along with its rejuvenating facials, massages and scrubs, aim to restore the body’s natural balance.

Comfort is a top priority at Kohler Waters Spa, so staffers will try to accommodate you when you specifically request either a male or female therapist. There will be times, however, when the spa may not be able to provide the gender your choose: Men comprise about 15 percent of the staff, so guests requesting a male therapist or aesthetician are advised to make their reservations well in advance. Also, during peek periods, staffers at the Five-Star spa may not be able to accommodate all your gender preferences due to scheduling conflicts. Phoning to make Kohler Waters Spa aware of your preference is the best way to ensure you end up with the therapist of your choice.

The locker rooms at Kohler Waters Spa are as much a showcase for the Kohler company’s top-of-the-line bathroom fixtures as they are a satisfying finale to a rejuvenating day of treatments. Just past the clean, bright rows of cream-colored lockers, five Kohler-made multiple-head power showers await for one last massaging rinse-off. Each shower stall, designed with sea-green tile from Kohler partner Ann Sacks, comes equipped with beauty amenities such as Kohler Waters shampoo and conditioner, and, of course, soap. Near the squeaky clean sinks, other amenities await: brushes, combs, hairdryers, baby powder and hand lotion. An endless supply of fluffy towels and comfy rattan benches make one last stand for comfort and leisure inside Kohler Waters Spa before you reenter the outside world’s hectic rhythm.

Kohler Waters Spas does not require a deposit to make a reservation, but the reservations agent will ask for your credit card information to secure an appointment. Should you need to cancel your service for any reason, the spa requests that you give notice 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time. If you are unable to give sufficient notice, the full service rate will be charged to your account. This is to discourage no-shows, which during busy periods, could mean the difference between another guest being able to land a last-minute appointment or not. Of course, giving notice also provides a common courtesy to the therapists and aestheticians at Kohler Waters Spa who schedule their days around appointments.

Enter Kohler Waters Spa’s spacious reception area and the calming effect is immediate. A small, wall-mounted fountain emits soothing sounds; cool, checkered marble floors lie covered in Persian rugs; and an inviting, cushioned rattan couch and chairs beckon for a quiet pre-treatment respite.

Surrounding the spa’s reception counter are stacks of noteworthy and hard-to-find beauty products, available for purchase. You'll see Neom scented candles (said to be one of Kate Middleton’s favorites), Kerstin Florian skincare, ZO Skin Health anti-aging serums and Kohler Waters Spa’s own line of hollyhock lotions.

Behind the spa’s closed doors, near the treatment areas, two smaller waiting rooms — one upstairs and one downstairs — are each decorated in simple Zen décor that includes white walls, a small decorative waterfall, dark tile floors and a muted color scheme. Overall, the design evokes a sense of calm — just what you should expect to find at Kohler Waters Spa.

Kohler Waters Spa is one of the luxury American Club’s main attractions — and the only spa in Wisconsin to receive a Five-Star rating — so demand for services is high, especially on weekends and holidays. If you’re staying at the resort, your reservations agent will encourage you to book your massage, facial, water treatment or other service at the same that you book your room to ensure you’re able to get the particular service and time slot you desire. However, if you need more time to browse the Kohler Waters Spa’s long list of services online, staffers generally recommend making appointments at least one week advance. The busy holiday season, from Thanksgiving through January 1, is another story; for those peak weeks, staffers at the Kohler Waters Spa recommend booking several weeks in advance.

At Kohler Waters Spa, you are asked to give notice of cancellation at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment times. If the spa doesn’t receive notification in time, no-shows will find the full service rate charged to their accounts. Chronic tardy types should also take warning: Clients who arrive late are also requested give notice so that the Kohler Waters Spa staff can try to reschedule the treatment if another appointment time is available. If rescheduling is not a possibility, the service will begin as previously scheduled. In other words, your arrival time will determine how much of that heavenly massage or soothing facial you’ll actually get to enjoy. While the Kohler Waters Spa staff will try to accommodate punctuality-challenged guests as best they can, the policy is designed to ensure that other guests’ treatments may begin on time.

If you’re in need of serious relaxation or just a little rejuvenation, you can call the luxury American Club’s toll-free reservation line to make an appointment at Kohler Waters Spa. The American Club’s reservations agents encourage you to book your spa treatments when you make your hotel room reservations, as spa appointments can fill up quickly during peak seasons. Once on site, you can make spa reservations with concierges at The American Club Hotel, Inn on Wood Lake, Whistling Straits Golf Course, Sports Core or any of the resort’s other attractions. While online spa reservations are not available at this time, you can browse the dozens of treatment options on the Kohler Waters Spa’s website.